The Broken Tale

Someone

Neither one of them seemed to have been courageous enough to answer. But from what she had heard of their conversation, Layla assumed it was not going to be something she would like.
"Answer me." She repeated, "Convince me into what?"
She sat by Brian's side and interlocked her eyes in his.
"Brian?"
He broke away from her gaze, focusing his eyes on the table instead and hanging his head low. It was Alexander who spoke first.
"Look, Laili, now that the FBI are on your tail and you've been accused of murder and fraud, things are much more serious than they were before." He explained.
"Get to the point, Alex." She barked impatiently.
He sighed as he fidgeted with his hands.
"There's no way we can go ahead with our original plan. We've got to think of something else."
"It looks like you and Brian already have." Talya said.
"Kind of. But we need Layla onboard as well."
Layla raised an eyebrow.
"Go on."
"The FBI's job is to keep justice, Layla, and arresting an innocent woman who's a victim if anything else isn't exactly justice."
"I don't think they'd immediately arrest her just off of what one man said." Talya said, "I'm sure they'd investigate and shit."
"Yes, of course they would. But they'll come for Layla first before she get's away. She'll be under custody until they investigate which may take months. Considering how well know. Ali is in the Islamic and Arab world, even if you do go free this scandal will put your life under risk. Haven't you heard of all the acid attacks and killings of people they see as immoral?"
"I live in that world, Alex, of course I have." Layla replied.
"Plus. Ali isn't an idiot. He won't just make a claim to the FBI if he hasn't gotten fake evidence and witnesses on stage ready to act." Brian added.
Alexander nodded in agreement.
"We're outnumbered and trapped. It's not hard for the FBI to track down almost anyone, Layla so we've got no time to waste."
"What do you want us to, Alex? Teleport? Or shapeshift?" Layla asked.
"Do you remember Valdez?"
"Mrs.Valdez?"
He nodded, "The one at the party."
"What does she have to do with anything?"
"Alex is close friends with her through business." Brian explained, "Did Ali tell you anything about her?"
"He said something about her being self made and young? Why's this important though?"
"Wasn't she involved with the FBI?" Talya asked.
"She is. She's the deputy director of the FBI."
"Her?"
"Yes."
Layla's eyes bolted between Brian and Alexander.
"N-No. I know what you're thinking and-"
"Listen, Layla." Alexander interrupted, "She lives in Austrailia so she's not here very often. I talked to her on the phone earlier about a new business deal and she said she's leaving back to Austrailia tomorrow. She's our only chance, Layla, she's the second highest in command she can help you out easily."
"She can also put me in prison just as easily." Layla spat back, "Where do you two keep coming up with these stupid ideas? How would she believe me, hm? I ran away, I cheated, and I'm pregnant by someone else. How suspicious do you think I look and he doesn't?"
"You can trust Valdez."
"I don't care, Alex!" She shouted, "I'm sick of risks!"
"N-"
"Are you even thinking at this point, Alex? You want me to walk straight into the deputy director's office myself? I might as well just jump into a police car then while I'm at it."
No matter how much she shouted, neither Brian nor Talya seemed bothered. They knew her enough to have gotten used to it. It was only Alexander who shifted in his chair uncomfortably. She calmed down and sank back into her seat, knowing she had gone too far and completely forgotten for a moment that all he was trying to do was help.
"Sorry." She mumbled, "It's just-"
"Don't worry about it, babe." Brian cut in.
His hand slowly crept to her belly, rubbing her baby bump as he always did when things would get too stressful for him. It seemed to provide him with comfort that nothing else could give him.
"Laili, please slow down and think for a moment." He said to her softly, "Would I ever tell you to do something if I knew it was going to endanger you or our baby?"
She looked at him speechlessly. He caught her off guard.
"He's right, Layla. If both Alex and he agree, they must know it's safe. Let's at least hear them out?" Talya added.
Layla let out a sigh, she knew she was come,safely cornered.